Announcements

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Community. Connection. Change. The Future of Journalism is Local.

Thursday, June 25

• Steve Grove, Publisher and CEO, The Minnesota Star Tribune

The Minnesota Star Tribune’s ongoing transformation offers important lessons for communications professionals navigating a rapidly changing media landscape. This presentation examines the organization’s shift to a digital-first strategy, deeper audience insights and diversified revenue streams (including product, events, philanthropy and new business development initiatives) that are reshaping how news is produced and distributed. Attendees will gain perspective on the evolving local media ecosystem, cross-platform storytelling and the growing role of trust, transparency and community engagement. The session will also explore what these changes mean for media relations: how PR teams can build stronger partnerships with journalists, pitch more effectively in a digital environment and align messages with audience-driven storytelling priorities across channels.

A Return to Civility: Leading the Way for More Thoughtful and Respectful Discourse

Thursday, June 25

• Stacy Bettison, Esq., owner, BETTISON
• Paul Omodt, APR, Fellow PRSA, owner and principal, Omodt & Associates Critical Communications

A dramatic shift in public discourse—fueled by social media algorithms—has made public discourse increasingly combative. Clients now face unprecedented levels of incivility, from online hate to safety concerns. Public relations professionals are uniquely positioned to counter this trend. By modeling and calling for thoughtful, rational and civil public discourse, we can help protect our clients and serve the greater good of a more respectful and informed society. 

Water Over Nickel: Centering Indigenous Voices Through Strategic Communication

Friday, June 26 

• Kelly Applegate, commissioner of Natural Resources, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
• Ayme Zemke, APR, chief client officer, Beehive Strategic Communication

When a proposed nickel mine was planned just 1.3 miles from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe community, the potential impacts extended far beyond one tribal nation. The mine would sit near headwaters that flow into the Mississippi and St. Croix River watersheds, placing Minnesota’s clean water, wild rice, wildlife and millions of downstream residents at risk. 

The Mille Lacs Band launched Water Over Nickel in partnership with Beehive Strategic Communication to protect Minnesota’s water, land and cultural resources from the risks of nickel mining. Grounded in Indigenous stewardship and responsibility to future generations, the initiative centers Indigenous voices in a high-stakes regulatory and public conversation.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how centering Indigenous voices and shared values can transform a local environmental threat into a statewide movement. 

Stay tuned for more! 

The 2026 PRSA Midwest District Conference brings together communicators from across the heartland to share insights, spark ideas and strengthen our collective voice. Join us June 24–26, 2026, as we celebrate Bold Communicators in the Bold North.

Send any questions to info@minnesotaprsa.org.